Tax Services

Yes, you can hire a tax professional to prepare and file your tax return. Hiring someone to prepare your tax return means a qualified tax accountant or Chartered Tax Advisor will gather the right information, apply current tax legislation and submit on time. This is especially helpful if you have several income sources, rental property, investments or run a business.

A professional will also check whether you can claim any reliefs that you might miss on your own. Using a professional service reduces the risk of HMRC queries and gives you a clear record of what was filed. If you prefer certainty and want your return handled properly, hiring a qualified tax accountant or Chartered Tax Advisor is a sensible option.

To choose a tax advisor, start by looking for someone who is qualified and used to working with clients like you. A good advisor will understand whether you need personal tax, business tax or VAT support and will explain things in plain English. It is worth asking how they work with HMRC and how they keep your information secure. You should also check that they can provide ongoing advice, not only a one-off return, so your planning stays on track.

A firm with several tax specialists can bring in the right person if your affairs become more complex. Choosing on experience, clarity and security will point you to the right tax advisor.

The best person to give tax advice is a qualified tax accountant or Chartered Tax Advisor/specialist working in a reputable firm. This type of advisor keeps up to date with HMRC practice and legislation and can apply it to your situation. They will take time to understand your plans, for example passing on wealth, investing, running a company or moving internationally.

Good advice is written down, explained and supported so you can rely on it later. This helps you stay compliant as well as tax efficient. Choosing someone who is experienced and gives tax advice every day is the safest way to get the right answer.

The difference between an accountant and a tax accountant is that an accountant usually focuses on your accounts, bookkeeping and financial reporting. A tax accountant focuses on how those figures are treated for tax and how HMRC will view them. That can include income tax, corporation tax, VAT, employment tax and inheritance tax.

A tax accountant can also advise on how to structure transactions or investments so they are efficient and compliant. This is useful if your situation is changing or you have international or family elements to consider. Many businesses and private clients use a firm that provides all services so the accounts and the tax position are consistent and cohesive.

At HaysMac we have both roles working alongside each other. Aside from being a key part of our culture and expertise, it means that our clients enjoy one single point of contact with us. If that point of contact is in an accountant in a non-tax area, for example bookkeeping, they will sit alongside and have the input and support of a tax accountant on elements such as VAT and employment tax returns.

A tax accountant is a broad job title for anyone who prepares or advises on tax matters, whereas a Chartered Tax Advisor holds the UK’s highest level of specialist tax qualification awarded by the Chartered Institute of Taxation. While tax accountants may have varied backgrounds or experience, a Chartered Tax Advisor has passed rigorous exams and is formally recognised for advanced technical tax expertise and professional standards. In short, every Chartered Tax Advisor is a tax accountant, but not every tax accountant is a Chartered Tax Advisor. At HaysMac our tax team consists of a mix of both, comprising members of three key industry bodies; ICAEW, Chartered Institute of Tax and Association of Tax Technicians.

The cost of a tax accountant per month depends on how much work you want them to do. A simple annual return will cost less than ongoing business tax support that includes VAT or payroll and regular advice. Fees are usually based on complexity, the number of entities involved and how often you need reports or contact.

Some firms will agree to a fixed monthly fee so that you can plan cash flow. Others will price different parts separately so you can see exactly what you are paying for. The most accurate way to find out the monthly cost is to share your situation with a tax advisor and ask for a proposal.